Karl Anton

Directing

Karl Anton

Born — Died

1898-10-25 — 1979-04-12

Place of birth

Prague, Czechoslovakia

Known for

Directing

Credits

41 titles

Known for

The Avenger poster
6.7

A maniac is loose in London, decapitating his victims and sending the heads to Scotland Yard.

The Avenger

1960

I'm a Girl with a Devil in the Flesh poster
4.5

This Czech sophisticated romantic comedy, filmed by director Anton also in a parallel French version ("Une petite femme dans le train"), casts beautiful Czech star Baarova in the role that Meg Lemonnier played in the Gallic version.

I'm a Girl with a Devil in the Flesh

1933

Tonka of the Gallows poster
6.7

Melodramatic story of an innocent country girl (Ita Rina) who struggles to make a living in the city as a prostitute. As she provides last service to a murderer sentenced to death (Josef Rovenský), society condemns her and leads her to despair. This groundbreaking film directed by Karel Anton was made in 1930 as the first Czech feature movie with post-synchronised soundtrack, recorded in France. International star cast, sensitive adaptation of Egon Erwin Kisch’s short story and innovative combination of silent and sound film features make this movie an artwork of European significance.

Tonka of the Gallows

1930

Pohádka máje poster
NR

A lyrical tale of the pure, vernal romance between a diffident, somewhat naive girl from a rural backwater and a fairly dissolute, but kind-hearted law student from Prague.

Pohádka máje

1926

Der kühne Schwimmer poster
5.7

No synopsis available yet.

Der kühne Schwimmer

1957

The Big Number poster
8.0

Against her father’s wishes, the ringmaster Wallner, Helga forms a connection with the wild animal trainer Peter. After he is almost killed during an appearance, he promises his mistress, that he’ll never work with wild animals again. From that point on, he works with Helga on safe horse numbers. When Helga finds out from Peter’s friend Otto, that Peter would rather work with wild animals again, she doesn’t want to stand in the way of her beloved’s dreams. Helga disappears and leaves Otto enough money to buy Peter a new group of lions. For a long time, Peter and Helga do not see one another, though neither can forget the other. When Helga hears from Otto one day, that Peter is practicing a very dangerous number involving wild animals, during which Otto is to play the “lead”, Helga makes a fatal decision, so she might see Peter again.

The Big Number

1943

Film credits

Behind the camera

The Avenger poster
6.7

A maniac is loose in London, decapitating his victims and sending the heads to Scotland Yard.

The Avenger

1960

I'm a Girl with a Devil in the Flesh poster
4.5

This Czech sophisticated romantic comedy, filmed by director Anton also in a parallel French version ("Une petite femme dans le train"), casts beautiful Czech star Baarova in the role that Meg Lemonnier played in the Gallic version.

I'm a Girl with a Devil in the Flesh

1933

Tonka of the Gallows poster
6.7

Melodramatic story of an innocent country girl (Ita Rina) who struggles to make a living in the city as a prostitute. As she provides last service to a murderer sentenced to death (Josef Rovenský), society condemns her and leads her to despair. This groundbreaking film directed by Karel Anton was made in 1930 as the first Czech feature movie with post-synchronised soundtrack, recorded in France. International star cast, sensitive adaptation of Egon Erwin Kisch’s short story and innovative combination of silent and sound film features make this movie an artwork of European significance.

Tonka of the Gallows

1930

Tonka of the Gallows poster
6.7

Melodramatic story of an innocent country girl (Ita Rina) who struggles to make a living in the city as a prostitute. As she provides last service to a murderer sentenced to death (Josef Rovenský), society condemns her and leads her to despair. This groundbreaking film directed by Karel Anton was made in 1930 as the first Czech feature movie with post-synchronised soundtrack, recorded in France. International star cast, sensitive adaptation of Egon Erwin Kisch’s short story and innovative combination of silent and sound film features make this movie an artwork of European significance.

Tonka of the Gallows

1930

Pohádka máje poster
NR

A lyrical tale of the pure, vernal romance between a diffident, somewhat naive girl from a rural backwater and a fairly dissolute, but kind-hearted law student from Prague.

Pohádka máje

1926

Der kühne Schwimmer poster
5.7

No synopsis available yet.

Der kühne Schwimmer

1957

The Big Number poster
8.0

Against her father’s wishes, the ringmaster Wallner, Helga forms a connection with the wild animal trainer Peter. After he is almost killed during an appearance, he promises his mistress, that he’ll never work with wild animals again. From that point on, he works with Helga on safe horse numbers. When Helga finds out from Peter’s friend Otto, that Peter would rather work with wild animals again, she doesn’t want to stand in the way of her beloved’s dreams. Helga disappears and leaves Otto enough money to buy Peter a new group of lions. For a long time, Peter and Helga do not see one another, though neither can forget the other. When Helga hears from Otto one day, that Peter is practicing a very dangerous number involving wild animals, during which Otto is to play the “lead”, Helga makes a fatal decision, so she might see Peter again.

The Big Number

1943

Monsieur Sans-Gêne poster
8.0

A man creates a national scandal after he mistakenly kisses the wrong woman in a darkened cinema. The following year it was remade as an American comedy One Rainy Afternoon, released by United Artists.

Monsieur Sans-Gêne

1935

Peter Voss, der Millionendieb poster
8.6

Polly Petterson is a major customer of the Van Geldern bank, which manages her assets to the tune of one million. When she wants to withdraw the entire amount, the bank, which has speculated, threatens to go bankrupt. The employee Peter Voss then steals the million as a pretense and flees. By agreement, he is to hide until the price of the copper he invested in rises again. Polly hires detective Bobby Dodd and follows the apparent bank robber to Portugal, Brazil, the Wild West and Hawaii. There, Peter Voss is able to convince the rich Polly of his good intentions - and when the bank is saved, there is even a wedding.

Peter Voss, der Millionendieb

1946

Peter Voss, der Millionendieb poster
8.6

Polly Petterson is a major customer of the Van Geldern bank, which manages her assets to the tune of one million. When she wants to withdraw the entire amount, the bank, which has speculated, threatens to go bankrupt. The employee Peter Voss then steals the million as a pretense and flees. By agreement, he is to hide until the price of the copper he invested in rises again. Polly hires detective Bobby Dodd and follows the apparent bank robber to Portugal, Brazil, the Wild West and Hawaii. There, Peter Voss is able to convince the rich Polly of his good intentions - and when the bank is saved, there is even a wedding.

Peter Voss, der Millionendieb

1946

Un soir de réveillon poster
5.7

An innocent girl is mistaken for one of the loose women at a Christmas Eve party and is pursued by a young man who doesn't know where she lives.

Un soir de réveillon

1933

Make Up poster
8.0

Misfortunes and disarray of the little clown Leroy who is upstaged by a comrade, Bertini, and sees himself abandoned by his girlfriend Ginette, preferring his collaborator to him.

Make Up

1932

The Appeal to Conscience poster
7.0

Ten years ago, the "Andree case" was seemingly solved. Now criminal investigator Husfeld is to reopen it, as doubts have arisen about the guilt of Helga Andree, who was convicted at the time. She is said to have pushed her former rival, the singer Elinor Gyldenborg, off the roof garden and killed her. Husfeld seeks advice from his friend, the writer Volkmar Hollberg. He turns the case into a radio play, which is broadcast on the radio under the title The Jump from the Roof Garden. The broadcast brings back memories of the night of the crime for those present at the time...

The Appeal to Conscience

1949

Die Wirtin zum weißen Röss'l poster
5.7

Up till now, Eri Bel and Heinz Marius were a happy couple only on the movie screen. Now, however, the successful film stars want to be a happy couple in real life. After the next film they star in together, the whole thing should be a reality.

Die Wirtin zum weißen Röss'l

1943

The Grand Prix poster
7.0

The moral is simple: keep your mouth shut, especially when you're working during the wartime in a factory, which produces racing cars only, or someone can (or even must) get murdered. Not a good movie, not a bad either. The ending is abrupt and artificial, which seems to be a common plague of Third Reich's crime movies. Gustav Fröhlich could never get rid of his silent era mannerisms and overacting. But on the other side, this film is not boring and has to offer some decent plot turns and acting.

The Grand Prix

1944

The Swap poster
5.0

Lorenz has his eye on Simon Gigl's prize-winning breeding bull and would love to have it. But is he willing to make a deal to give up his wife Uschi to Gigl for a week in exchange for the bull?

The Swap

1952

Von Liebe reden wir später poster
10.0

The beautician Angela Bell, a well-off middle-aged lady, and the respected fashion doctor Prof. Christian Hollmann would like to get married, but there is a catch: Hollmann is still married to his somewhat annoying wife Margot. Angela, however, has to get married as soon as possible because as a foreigner she will lose her work permit if she does not become a German citizen soon. The couple then come up with the idea of ​​​​marrying Angela to the German bachelor Jonny Pitter, a writer - a sham marriage with no dishonorable consequences, of course. What neither Angela nor Prof. Hollmann suspect is that Jonny has been in love with Angela for some time

Von Liebe reden wir später

1953

We're Dancing Around the World poster
6.3

No synopsis available yet.

We're Dancing Around the World

1939

Arènes joyeuses poster
8.0

Cabissol, the Mayor of Martigues, a town in the South of France, wishes to organize a bullfight as part of the coming festivities. But that is not counting on Escopette, an opponent of bullfighting, who kidnaps the bulls. What further complicates things is that the appointed bullfighter, Chico de Granada, takes the French leave with Violette, one of Cabissol's daughters. As a measure of retaliation, Cabissol decides to force Escopette to replace Chico in the arena. Fortunately, Rémy, the head herdsman, comes to his rescue. Finally, everything goes well and Cabissol is so happy that he gives Rémy the hand of Marguerite, his other daughter.

Arènes joyeuses

1935

The Case of Colonel Redl poster
8.0

Based on the short story "Der Fall des Generalstabschefs Redl" by Egon Erwin Kisch. Alfred Redl, a colonel on the Austrian General Staff, leads an extravagant private life. No one suspects that in reality he is passing information to Russian spies. Alternate-language version of "Aféra plukovníka Rédla" (1931).

The Case of Colonel Redl

1931

Martha poster
9.0

At the English court, at the beginning of the 18th century, Lady Henriett fell in love with a farmer, Lionel, who, following a mistake, believes her to be his servant. By learning his quality, Lionel refuses to receive the one he already considered his fiancée. The queen herself will appease this lover's quarrel and, moreover, will free the peasants of his kingdom.

Martha

1936

Shout It from the House Tops poster
9.0

The son of a rich soap manufacturer gets himself in predicaments trying to prove to his father that he's responsible enough for marriage.

Shout It from the House Tops

1932

No artwork available
10.0

Monsieur Albert is a very elegant and much-appreciated butler. One day he falls in love with a client, Sylvia Robertson, and follows her to a winter sports resort. Sylvia does not recognize him and imagines that he is related to a king who goes incognito.

Mister Albert

1932

Les Surprises du sleeping poster
7.0

Prince Philippe of Bracowa must join his fiancée by train. The young and pretty Gisèle is on the same train, for her too to join her fiancé.

Les Surprises du sleeping

1933

Die Sache mit Styx poster
5.8

No synopsis available yet.

Die Sache mit Styx

1942

The Case of Colonel Redl poster
7.0

The case of Colonel Redl -- an officer blackmailed into spying by virtue of his homosexuality. Alternate-language version of "Der Fall des Generalstabs-Oberst Redl" (1931)

The Case of Colonel Redl

1931

Hello Kathrin poster
6.3

Kathrin, Sylvio, and Pierre are music students in Paris. Due to their financial difficulties, the bailiff Fogar is even forced to seize their musical instruments. However, he allows them to continue practicing with them in his warehouse. There, the trio meets the composer Duval, who is also struggling financially.

Hello Kathrin

1956

Hello Kathrin poster
6.3

Kathrin, Sylvio, and Pierre are music students in Paris. Due to their financial difficulties, the bailiff Fogar is even forced to seize their musical instruments. However, he allows them to continue practicing with them in his warehouse. There, the trio meets the composer Duval, who is also struggling financially.

Hello Kathrin

1956

No artwork available
7.0

Lighthouse keeper Uwe Bull lives with his wife Hanne and the silent assistant Jens in a secluded, small world. When the only survivor from a shipwreck, young Margot from Reeperbahn, is washed up on the island, Uwe's feelings arouses. But dark clouds appear in the sky.

A Girl from the Reeperbahn

1930

No artwork available
7.0

Lighthouse keeper Uwe Bull lives with his wife Hanne and the silent assistant Jens in a secluded, small world. When the only survivor from a shipwreck, young Margot from Reeperbahn, is washed up on the island, Uwe's feelings arouses. But dark clouds appear in the sky.

A Girl from the Reeperbahn

1930

Die Christel von der Post poster
4.8

Postwoman Christel is engaged to detective Horst. When the dashing star trumpeter Mecky arrives in town, her love begins to waver. Christel must make a decision at the big postal parade.

Die Christel von der Post

1956

White Slaves poster
5.5

Russia, 1917. Revolution is in the air. The Sevastopol anchors In Saint Petersburg. The sailors are thirsty for women and celebration. The ship becomes a dancehall. Bloodbath, pillage and kidnapping follows. A Nazi/Germany propaganda film.

White Slaves

1937

Gypsies poster
6.5

The tale of the Venetian gondolier whose desire for revenge following a thwarted love affair leads him to Bohemia. The intricate plot also deals with destinies of other characters, who finally come together in a dramatic encounter at one time and in one place. In his role as screenwriter and director, Anton produced a highly accomplished version of Mácha’s work. He respected the original but was also able, along with the DoP Karel Kopřiva, to capitalise on the possibilities that the film medium offered. For the Venice prologue, the filmmakers exploited the photogenic qualities of the city – the narrow streets, the lagoons, gondolas and the sea – and they moved the set to the enigmatic Czech landscape around the castle of Kokořín.

Gypsies

1922

Gypsies poster
6.5

The tale of the Venetian gondolier whose desire for revenge following a thwarted love affair leads him to Bohemia. The intricate plot also deals with destinies of other characters, who finally come together in a dramatic encounter at one time and in one place. In his role as screenwriter and director, Anton produced a highly accomplished version of Mácha’s work. He respected the original but was also able, along with the DoP Karel Kopřiva, to capitalise on the possibilities that the film medium offered. For the Venice prologue, the filmmakers exploited the photogenic qualities of the city – the narrow streets, the lagoons, gondolas and the sea – and they moved the set to the enigmatic Czech landscape around the castle of Kokořín.

Gypsies

1922

Une petite femme dans le train poster
3.7

Sophisticated romantic comedy of suspicious husbands, straying wives, handsome lovers, with various misunderstandings thrown in for good measure. (Including a gender-reversal of the old Pirandello plot twist from "The Late Mathias Pascal" of the protagonist changing identities after supposedly perishing in a train wreck.)

Une petite femme dans le train

1932

Der große Fall poster
10.0

When a significant quantity of valuable gemstones is to be transported to South America by plane, those responsible are naturally extremely nervous. Everything must be perfectly planned, every possible risk averted.

Der große Fall

1949

The Kidnapping of Fux the Banker poster
4.5

No synopsis available yet.

The Kidnapping of Fux the Banker

1923

The Kidnapping of Fux the Banker poster
4.5

No synopsis available yet.

The Kidnapping of Fux the Banker

1923

You Only You poster
5.4

The two stars of an upcoming operetta performance quarrel constantly. but they also fall in love with each other.

You Only You

1941

Viktor und Viktoria poster
7.5

Aspiring singer Susanne takes over for ham actor Viktor at a small cabaret in Berlin where he works a woman impersonator and per chance she's discovered by an agent, who thinks, that she really is a man. She becomes famous, but her situation becomes troublesome, when she falls in love with Robert.

Viktor und Viktoria

1957